Head to the city centre for the ultimate festive experience

Head to Peterborough city centre over the coming weeks for everything you need for a very merry Christmas, including a festive themed market.

The city centre has everything you need, including a vast array of shops offering gifts for loved ones, festive opening hours, a variety of restaurants, coffee shops and eateries and easy access via 10 city centre council car parks.

From Friday 1 December drivers will be able to take advantage of a promotional deal that means all day parking will be £4 in the Wellington Street car park. The cashless payment system RingGo will also be in place.

To improve visitors' experience further, extended shopping hours at the Christmas Market Village will apply 9.30am to 6pm (Mon-Wed), 9.30am to 8pm (Thur), 9.30am to 7pm (Fri/Sat) and 9.30pm to 5pm (Sun) to give visitors plenty of time to immerse themselves in the festive spirit.

Councillor Steve Allen, Cabinet Advisor to the Leader of Peterborough City Council, which organises the market, said: said: "With a beautiful light display and the aroma of mulled wine, hot churros and original German bratwursts in the air, it will surely evoke the Christmas spirit in everyone."

Shoppers will also be able to head over to the City Market found between Northminster, Laxton Square, Cattle Market Road and Market Way to stock up on gifts and food and drink for the big day.

Leading up to Christmas Day, the City Market will be open as normal - Tuesday to Saturday, from 8.30am to 4pm. In the run up to the big day it will also be open on Monday 18 December and Christmas Eve, Sunday 24 December, from 10am to 4pm. This will give shoppers an option to stay away from busy supermarkets and support local traders as they stock up on everything from organic turkeys, shellfish, salmon and fruit and veg, to wrapping paper and clothing.